FMCSA safety chief says SMS changes will go out for comment
Transport Topics reports FMCSA's chief safety officer said the agency will put proposed Safety Measurement System changes out for industry comment, the scoring behind the CSA results brokers and inspectors see.
What happened
FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Steve Dowling told the WEX OTR Summit on Oct. 28 that the agency will put proposed changes to its Safety Measurement System out for industry comment and evaluation, according to Transport Topics. He also said FMCSA will keep looking at hours-of-service options that fit how fleets run, and that about 95% of carrier registrations in Motus are working correctly.
Why it matters
SMS is the data behind the CSA scores brokers, shippers and roadside inspectors see. Dowling said the goal is better identification of risk, and no new rule or date was announced, so current HOS and SMS rules still apply. Overdrive reports he also said FMCSA has removed more than 100 devices from its registered ELD list since the start of 2025 and kept nearly 600 more off it.
What to consider
Pull your fleet's current SMS results now, challenge any inspection you believe is wrong through DataQs, and watch for the SMS comment period so you can weigh in on how small fleets are scored. CSA basics for small fleets · FMCSA SMS lookup · DataQs
Sources
Reporting and records credited to the sources above, Oct. 30, 2026. We link to the original and add what it means for carriers.
This item is general information, not legal advice. Rules and programs change, so check the sources above. How we pick, source and correct Wire items · More from The Wire